Get the Pooh Bear Some Honey.

by kingjimbo on Jul 19, 2009 1:20 PM PDT

Perhaps I'm alone in thinking this, and maybe it's just a little brotherly love for a fellow Portlander, but I think the Blazers might want to seriously consider offering a contract to Pooh Jeter. Nothing spectacular, and nothing that would put him in a role besides the third option at the point, just get him on this team.

Despite what anyone might say, to me, Jeter is the biggest surprise of Summer League. Before it started, I had heard nothing but good things about the guy; he was a bundle of energy, he never gave less than his all, and he had some serious skill on the ball, BUT (and this was always a huge but) he's only 5' 11". And that's being extremely generous, 5' 9" is probably giving him an inch.

So he's not the tallest guy in then world. Should that prevent him from getting a chance?

I say no, and here's why. He has clearly developed his game around his smaller height. His high arching jump shot allows him to shoot over anyone, and his ridiculous quickness allows him to create an open shot in the even that he needs to. He can get to the rim, again, using that quickness. At a point in the summer league game against the Spurs, a slashing Jeter had Wheels and Antonio Harvey at a loss for words, until his resulting shot didn't drop (he got fouled!).

These skills have led him to be the Blazers' third leading scorer in Summer League, which is more of a feat when one considers that he might barely crack the top five in the team's offensive options. Also, shooting 55% from the field doesn't hurt.

He's averaging just below 4 assists a game (3.8), a stat which seems to utterly dominate Jarryd Bayless's paltry 4.3 assists per game when each player's turnover averages are taken into account (Jeter averages 1.75 to Bayless's shockingly unacceptable 6.25.)

The previous paragraph may, for the crafty reader, shed some insight into my mindset when writing this piece: The Blazers need another option at the point, because Bayless's showing at Summer League has been less than stellar. I'm not panicing, I'm not trying to get eaten alive by Rex's die-hards, I'm simply trying to say (and you know it's true), that Blazer fans, myself included, wanted to see a lot more promise out of Bayless this summer, not to mention the awesome Patty Mills.

Luckily Patty Mills' unfortunate injury has had a silver lining, it has given Pooh Jeter some time to shine, and he has shown a lot of the promise that we wanted from Bayless.

So, Kevin Pritchard, if you just so happen to be trolling through random fanposts on Blazersedge today, check this one out, and give Pooh Jeter a chance.

Finally, for your viewing pleasure, a sample of Big Pooh's flashy, Sergio-replacing, dime-dishing skittles. #7 and #4.

And a bonus. Because who doesn't love Spanish commentators?

And of course, since I've written this before the Blazers' final Summer League game, Pooh's prbably going to choke like crazy because I've jinxed him. But I hope not.

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Comments

Stash him in the NBADL

For a few years maybe but I fear the kids is just too small to be successful in this league.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Jul 19, 2009 2:25 PM PDT reply actions

I think he's served enough time in the DL.

I think he’s playing his position right for someone his size. You don’t have to be a giant to be a good 1 guard.

"Everyone knows who you are; but only your friends know why."
- Rich Amato

by CoRBBall on Jul 19, 2009 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

Give Pooh a small contract. The risk is small, and the payoff could be pretty good. He’s proven to be a breakthrough player on our summer roster, and a dedicated, loyal individual. He’s a definite yes to the question on finding a replacement to Sergio. This being said, I don’t think we could use him much on the roster if we end up acquiring a new PG and not dumping Blake or Rex. If we see a PG trade in our future and deal away one of those two, or if we don’t touch the position at all, I see a lot more Pooh in our future.

"Everyone knows who you are; but only your friends know why."
- Rich Amato

by CoRBBall on Jul 19, 2009 2:25 PM PDT reply actions

#4 was Supa Nasty

And a Von Wafer sighting

Dictated, not read. The management.

by Samsara on Jul 19, 2009 2:35 PM PDT reply actions

No

He is very small, and if you are very small you better be very quick and athletic and do something great in the NBA a la AI, Robinson, Webb, Boykins. Jeter isn’t that quick, his handles aren’t exceptional, his shot isn’t amazing. He never had a PER above 20. Not in the NCAA, not in the D-League, not in the Ukraine, not in Spain. KP loves himself some PER. Pooh is certainly close to NBA-level, but he is not an NBA player. And he is 25, so not a terribly higher ceiling.

by Norsktroll on Jul 19, 2009 2:43 PM PDT reply actions

Agreed

“The Blazers need another option at the point” yes indeed, they do! But it’s not Pooh Jeter

KP can’t possibly let this summer go by without adding at least one veteran to the roster, can he? Last week Nate tipped his hand and revealed that he intends to try Rudy playing the “point” alongside Bayless during the preseason. I can see how those two have some “complementary” skills on offense, especially in an uptempo 2nd unit. (I fear mightily for the bench’s perimeter defense, but Blake and Roy are no great shakes in that department, either, and neither was the Spanish Armada…)

The roster will still need a 3rd PG to trot out there in case Steve runs smack into Reggie Evans again and this is where the 09/10 season can’t be handed over to Bayless and any rookie PG, no matter how good the kid may have looked in Vegas. A veteran with playoff experience and the ability to knock down outside shots would appear to be in order, and there are some candidates who will be looking for work in September.

I’ll submit one name in particular to the committee for your scrutiny: Tyronn Lue

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 19, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions

I was actually fairly impressed by his handles in summer league

and I was definitely impressed by his decision making and shot making. Those two things in combination are what makes Roy so good, for example. It’s not like he’s an amazing shooter either. It’s when he shoots.

I hear you on Jeter’s speed though… I’m not sure whether he’s fast… but he may not have needed to be. He ran the pick and roll well enough to shake his defender or a teammate’s one way or the other fairly often.

by ranma on Jul 20, 2009 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions

I would...

Really like someone who could teach Bayless how to play some fundamentally sound defense.

I would rather use a roster spot on a good perimeter defender like Bobby Jones. Considering how weak we are in that category with our backups Outlaw, Webster & Rudy

Patience :)

by TheGreatDane17 on Jul 19, 2009 2:45 PM PDT reply actions

Seems unlikely that we will carry a 4th PG next year, since we didn't this year.

There is simply no possible way that the Blazers will put all of their eggs in Rex’s basket as the backup PG, or another rookie. Therefore, we must add another veteran point guard that may be a starter (less likely I think) or may be a backup to Blake. I suspect they have had a deal already worked out to trade Outlaw for a PG (probably just a backup PG), but that may be on hold now pending another move because the Turk and Millsap deals fell through. Had either of those deals happened there would be ZERO minutes for Outlaw at PF, and he is worse at SF where we already have several alternatives needing more minutes. I’ve listened to Nate and KP talk several times about how the Blazers returning players would be better next year and neither one has ever mentioned Outlaw in those statements. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Bayless moved as part of a trade if we were able to get a starting PG without giving up Blake, but that seems less likely to me.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 19, 2009 4:42 PM PDT reply actions

we have 3 point guards already?

blake…bayless…who else?

I think we should add Pooh to the training camp roster so that he can at the very least be a good practice point guard for blake and bayless to work on their defense against diminutive point guards such as brooks or robinson etc if he makes the team. And if Mills outplays Pooh in training camp, then he’ll serve the same purpose as well.

"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.

"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.

by Tofu Anonymous on Jul 19, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Blake, Bayless, and a veteran yet to be named.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 19, 2009 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions

He answered that question in his post

Read past the title.

The Princess of Blazersedge

by Zaig on Jul 20, 2009 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Since Mills is injured

Might as well bring in Pooh. He’s been the best player on the team in summer league besides Cunningham and he’s a great bench guy, always up clapping, showing enthisiasm. It’s painful to watch Bayless dribble into half-court doubles when Jeter is so obviously skilled at running an offense. I think they should give him a shot.

by EHumperdinck on Jul 19, 2009 6:08 PM PDT reply actions

I think they will

if the “veteran” is not there.

C Creg Oden
PF LarMarcus Aldridge
SF Nicholas Batum
SG Brandon Roy
PG Jerryd Bayless

by asiafan on Jul 19, 2009 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Like hell he is... Try 5'7"...........

BUT (and this was always a huge but) he’s only 5’ 11".

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 19, 2009 6:47 PM PDT reply actions

Seriously.

That is covered in the very next sentence.

by kingjimbo on Jul 19, 2009 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, that Chris Paul guy, he can play but, c'mon, he's only 6'0'' tall . . .

What the heck does Jeter have to do to get some respect? It was plainly obvious that our summer league team was much better when he was at the point. Lest you think I’m comparing Jeter to Paul, I’m not. I’m merely calling out all the haters that are complaining about his height. I think he makes a fantastic change of pace point-guard and having him as a 3rd point guard (I shutter at the thought of even calling Bayless a “point guard”) would be a low-risk move, that could have some great benefit.

It was such a stark contrast to watch a “real” point guard in Jeter run the team, and then watch Bayless run the team. Jeter has a feel for the position that Bayless doesn’t, and won’t, have. He’s got amazing handles, he can shoot well, and he can break-down the defense and finish inside, or, even more important after breaking down the D – having the innate ability to find the open player and put the pass right on the money.

Yes, I did neglect to mention defense. Was is great, no. Was it worse than Steve Blakes? . . . The little, quick, and scrappy guys can be an absolute pain in the butt to play against. Chris Paul doesn’t lead the league in steals using his long wing-span.

I was happy I saw this fan-post tonight when I logged on. You’ve echoed my sentiments exactly.

The Dude abides

by noaher on Jul 19, 2009 11:44 PM PDT reply actions

D00D! Summer League A/T means nothing

Didn’t you hear Bayless in his interviews. His teammates can’t catch, that’s why he has so many turnovers.
Didn’t you hear all the BEdgers too? J-Bay’s teammates can’t shoot, that’s why he has so few assists.

See, Pooh is so bad that when he passes to his teammates, they can catch it, because they are bad like Pooh. They also hit the shots when Pooh gives them the ball because of how bad Pooh is.

Who wants a 2+ A/T ratio when you can have a .67 one.

The Princess of Blazersedge

by Zaig on Jul 20, 2009 9:02 AM PDT reply actions

In Spain his A/T ratio was 1.36 with -0.75 PPR. He never had more than 2 except for some games in the D-League.

Bayless had 1.39 and -0.69. In the NBA.

by Norsktroll on Jul 20, 2009 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

So why is Bayless doing worse than him? I agree withy our earlier analysis of why Pooh isn’t an NBA level talent. Which leads to the question: Why does he run a team better than Bayless? And why do we win when he starts?

The Princess of Blazersedge

by Zaig on Jul 20, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions

It starts by making jump shots.

Bayless has a real tendency for putting his head down and heading straight to the rim and then either hurriedly dumping it off or trying to score. He’ll do this even when he’s open for a shot on the perimeter. Jeter is more likely to take the open shot, so on the pick and roll, it’s more difficult to know what he’s going to do. If both defenders shade the big who sets the screen, he can go to the rim and he was finishing over whoever was there. If both defenders gravitate to him to stop his jumper, he was making the pass to the wide open screen setter, who was usually Cunningham.

But he establishes his perimeter game early.

by ranma on Jul 20, 2009 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Pooh should make the Team-

As a 3rd string pg, to help push JBay. He played way better then Bayless. I still love Bayless, but he is a shooting guard not a point guard. Pooh is a point guard.

by cavejunctionblazer on Jul 20, 2009 11:26 AM PDT reply actions

He deserves an invite to training camp.

That’s where he can earn a contract. I was pretty impressed with him at summer league. He ran the pick and roll great, and I was impressed by his handles, court sense, and shot making. It’s not the best setting to know much about him and his chances in the league, though. The setting needs to change. He’s definitely really small, so he has a lot to overcome.

by ranma on Jul 20, 2009 11:27 AM PDT reply actions

no

I want a veteran 3rd string pg

by Falcao on Jul 20, 2009 12:40 PM PDT reply actions

Bayless should be our 3rd string SG and PG

Big D from Blog-A-Bull - "Pritchard is such a genius that teams just give him players for free."

Greg Oden - The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946

by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Jul 20, 2009 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Experrienced guard please

I’d rather have an experienced guard who can step in and help teach Bayless, and also has spent enough time in the NBA to step in and immediately contribute if there’s an injury. There are many available right now – Tyron Lue, Jacque Vaughn, Earl Watson, etc…

by erastus25 on Jul 20, 2009 12:49 PM PDT reply actions

I'm tired of getting people to "teach" other people

Can someone find me some evidence that having a player mentor actually helps at all? I’m pretty sure a person’s drive to get better and their coaches are many many many many times more important than having a “mentor.”

The Princess of Blazersedge

by Zaig on Jul 20, 2009 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions